Brewster Mason
Brewster Mason was an English stage actor who also made some notable film and television appearances.
He was born in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire and made his stage debut at the Finsbury Park Open Air Theatre in 1947. He then appeared on stage in repertory theatre, in London's West End and on Broadway. He was a particularly notable member of the Royal Shakespeare Company between 1963 and 1987, and his parts included a memorable Earl of Warwick in The Wars of The Roses, Claudius in Hamlet opposite David Warner's portrayal of the title character, Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Lafau and Banquo in 1967, Julius Caesar and Falstaff in 1968, Women Beware Women, Wolsey and Falstaff in 1969, Undershaft in Major Barbara, Othello, Falstaff in Henry IV and Gaunt in Richard II in 1986. He was an actor of great presence, possessing a distinctive and beautiful voice.
He made appearances in many British plays and TV series including; The Affair, The Pallisers, Quatermass and Tales of the Unexpected. He also played Otto von Bismarck in both Edward the Seventh and Disraeli. His film appearances included The Dam Busters, as Guy Gibson's rear gunner Flt. Lt. R.D. Trevor-Roper, and Private Potter as the Brigadier.
In 1957 he had a spell in the BBC's Radio Drama Repertory company when, after an accident in which he injured his leg, he was unable to undertake film or stage work. Appearances during this time included the role of Rupert Dreisler in Paul Temple and the Spencer Affair and as Salty West, an old sea dog in Paul Temple and the Lawrence Affair.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s he taught classical acting at the University of California, Irvine.
He died aged 64 following a fall when he was appearing in Richard II at the Barbican Theatre, London.Filmography
